MOUNT VERNON — Educators play a vital role in children’s lives, but they also have a critical stake in their community’s economy.
That was the message presented by Area Development Foundation President Jeff Gottke at the Knox Area Chamber of Commerce’s county-wide educators’ breakfast.
The breakfast, held Thursday at Mount Vernon Nazarene University (MVNU), brought educators throughout the county including all five public school districts, the Knox County Career Center, Central Ohio Technincal College, Kenyon College and MVNU, Knox Technical Center, among others.
Area Development Foundation (ADF), the agency designed to bring jobs and strengthen the county’s economy, identified the three largest employment categories in Knox County: manufacturing, healthcare and education, all employing above the national average.
- Healthcare 19% — $56,000
- Education 13% — $36,0000
- Manufacturing 22% — $52,000
One of ADF’s pillars is developing livable communities and vibrancy, Gottke said.
“Because as superintendents know, the workforce is very important right now. Teachers, and professionals all the way down to entry-level manufacturing jobs are premium and are in demand,” he said.
“Towns and counties are competing for the workforce. And having a community that is livable and vibrant is very important.”
Superintendents at the breakfast echoed Gottke’s point — there is an ongoing teacher shortage.
What do companies ask when they come to Knox County?
When companies come to Knox County and decide if they want to plant their roots here, they ask four vital questions, Gottke said.
“The first thing they want to look at is where their building will be. The second thing they say is ‘Take me downtown.’ And the third is ‘Where am I going to get my workers and what are the schools like?'” he said.
“So schools play a very important role in economic growth and vibrancy and wealth.”
The ADF works parallel with public schools, the career center and colleges to identify new workforce pathways for in-demand jobs in the community.
Then they tell school administrators what businesses are looking for in the up-and-coming workforce, Gottke said.
“You teach the skills that they need every day and we want those lines between businesses and the schools and then among the schools to be very clear, transparent and cooperative because you’re creating tomorrow’s workforce,” Gottke said.
In this wide-ranging workforce, from manufacturing McDonald’s wrappers to glass windows, education plays a role.
“We work with you to help us produce those kind of workers that care for us, right? I want the person across the counter from me to know how to make change, right? I want the person who’s caring for my granny to be compassionate and competent, right?” Gottke said.
“We’re kind of all in this together a little bit because we live in the small community that we think is up here by ourselves, but it comes back on us, too.”